Latest census data finds poverty dropping in north MissouriMany Missourians still in need this holiday season

According to recently released census data, poverty within the nine county service area of Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri dropped in 2015 to an average of 16.8% from a 2014 average of 17.7%. The number of children under the age of 18 currently living in poverty within the agency’s service area remained largely steady at just over 25%. Northern Missouri’s poverty rate remained higher during 2015 than the overall Missouri poverty rate of 14.8%.

Individuals are considered poor if resources they share with others in a household are not enough to meet their basic needs, according to the official census poverty measure. While poverty rate is an important snapshot, CAPNCM believes it’s important to remember poverty is more than a number.

“Poverty is multi-dimensional and unique to each Missouri individual and family who experiences it,” Aaron Franklin, Executive Director at CAPNCM said. “As a community, we must remember that poverty affects everyone. It impacts our children, our local economies, and our future.”

To combat the causes and conditions of poverty, CAPNCM provides local, direct services to low-income Missourians in the counties of Caldwell, Daviess, Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Putnam, and Sullivan. CAPNCM’s goal is to empower low-income individuals to achieve self-sufficiency. Programs such as energy assistance/LIHEAP, emergency direct client services, and rental assistance have helped people and changed lives throughout the Agency’s more than 50-year history.